May should be great month for striper limits

The only problem we had was the full moon. On every full moon, the stripers feed at night like deer, and the bite is over very early after the sun comes up. That's a good thing for those anglers that like to fish the “night shift."

The only time the stripers continue to bite is when the threadfin shad spawn, which will happen very soon. Threadfin spawn when the water temperature hits 65 degrees, and the current temperature in the creeks is 62.5 degrees. So, if this warming continues, the shad should start spawning this coming weekend.

Once the shad spawn, the stripers will move to the shore and start feeding heavy. With the water in the buck brush, the shad will spawn on the brush and the stripers, hybrids, bass, and white bass will all be chasing the bait.

It is the most fun time of the year. Stripers will feeding heavy and shallow. Top-water, swim baits, and live bait will all produce limits of fish.

Start looking half way up the creeks, and all the creeks will have shad spawning. The main lake will be a little later, but they should start early next week on all the points all over the lake. May should be a great month this year for lots of action and limits of stripers.

Tom and Sean Reynolds guide out of Tracy Ferry Marina. You can reach them at www.stroutfitters.com.